Things to Note Before Using a Diffuser

For natties, nothing tops the feeling of triumph that comes with having a good hair day. Every day seems like a challenge trying to find a hairstyle or products that work. It's basically a full-time job trying to maintain our crowns. So any products, hair tools, or hair accessories that make the process bearable is WORTH having in your stash. 

• Diffusing creates VOLUME! It's important to understand what a diffuser can do for your curls. Apparently, shrinkage is public enemy number one in the natural hair community, and properly using a diffuser is a guaranteed way to stretch those strands. This tool can not only fluff your mane for a bigger hair look but also speed your morning routine along. Type 1,2 and 3 = volume. Type 4 = stretch.⁣
• Tilt your head forward / downwards. While diffusing, don't squish the diffuser against your curls. Instead, tilt your head so that your hair falls and is dried in an elongated state instead of smushed up.⁣
• Diffusing keeps heat damage minimal. There's no denying the facts: curlier hair is more susceptible to heat damage. No nattie wants to risk destroying the texture they’ve worked so hard to nurture. If you regularly blow-dry your hair, using a diffuser can cut down on your hair's exposure to heat. A diffuser distributes the heat over a larger area rather than concentrating on one direct area.⁣
• Keep Your Drying Temperature Low! In order to keep heat damage at a minimum, it’s best to use a diffuser on a low/medium temperature setting. Starting off on a high temperature when the hair is wet can cause more frizz, so rather air dry for about 50% (while getting dressed, etc) and then diffuse on low/medium temperature. ⁣
• Nothing wrong with a daily diffuse. You always want to be mindful of the heat setting used when diffusing. If you're cautious, sticking with cool to warm temperatures, there's nothing wrong with diffusing regularly. It doesn't hurt to work heat protectants into your routine for back-up, either.⁣
• Different ways to diffuse. There's a right ✔️and wrong ❌ way to go about this drying method: If you're prone to frizz, don't cup your curls into the diffuser. You want the heat to go down against your cuticle, not blow up towards the cuticle.⁣
• Start off by working the diffuser in circular motions around the entire head first. This is how we try to reach our roots. Next, turn off your dryer, place ends into the diffuser, and turn on a low heat setting. Hold hair in place for about a minute and turn off your dryer. Repeat the process until your hair is fully dry. If you keep the dryer on while moving around, you could create more frizz.⁣
• Remember, flipping your head over can give your hair more height and maximum lift at the roots so try drying your hair with your head upside down.⁣
• Avoid touching your hair too much. While diffusing create fluffy, voluminous curls, poor technique can create a frizzy disaster on your head. Touch and fiddle with your hair too much, and you could risk frizzing out your curls. Even worse, keeping your hair cupped into your diffuser for **too long** can cause your curl pattern to become misshapen.⁣
• Avoid disturbing your curls as much as you can either with your hands or the diffuser, otherwise, you’ll end up with lots of frizz. Once your hair is fully dry then you can fluff away.⁣